TEEN MEMO

GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY

Daniella had just one year to bid goodbye to high school. Her dreams of becoming a writer hasn't changed. Not one bit...

* * * * * * *

Daniella went to the shopping mall to purchase a few condiments because some of the condiments in the kitchen at home had been exhausted and consumed. As Daniella was about to leave the mall,a message popped up on her Samsung Galaxy S20 phone. She checked her notification box and realized that it was an email from Priyanka Khuranna. It has been since she met Priyanka face to face.

Infact,the first time she met Priyanka was the last time she met her because Daniella has never been to India and Priyanka comes to the United States of America once in a while. Even if she visits,she wouldn't reside in New Orleans. Two months after Priyanka visited Qualibrium elementary school,she got married to her dream celebrity actor and singer, Akshay Rathore and her last name changed from Khuranna to Rathore. Now,their marital life is blessed with two children;Neil and Anokhi.

Daniella ordered an Uber to take her home. In five minutes,the Uber driver arrived in front of the mall. She entered the vehicle. Though the driver wasn't reckless,the vehicle screeched to a halt as he drove through the tarred road. Meanwhile,while on the Uber, Daniella opened her phone to read the message. It was really from Priyanka Rathore.

It reads;

Hello Daniella Rogers,

It's nice to hear from you after a long time. Meanwhile, I had a colloquium with the board members of ZENITH TOP COLLEGE,one of the best and top notch writing universities in the world situated in the United States. They were thinking of commencing a program to award writing scholarships to 50 students in the country who were writing geniuses. I was called to give some recommendations of which I mentioned your name to them. I told them of your achievement at Qualibrium elementary school few years back and how to have always longed to be a writer when you grow up. They realized that there was this unique and great potential of writing in you. The summary of the colloquium is that a scholarship will be awarded to you alongside other exclusive writing benefits if you attend the program,sit for their Aptitude Test and scale through successfully.

Thank you.

Daniella couldn't believe her eyes.

Was she really seeing?

She had such a golden opportunity to attend the best writing university in the country of which she would be awarded double honour if she attended and graduated from any of the schools. In no time, she started feeling the heat of excitement. No one could really explain how cheery Daniella was.

The screeching of the vehicle stopped which made Daniella realize that she had reached her destination. She quickly alighted the Uber to stroll home.

She tried to scurry off but a second thought ran through her mind. So,she decided to walk confidently till she got home.

The tantalizing aroma of the sirloin steak Eucharia was preparing filled the entire house. Daniella ran straight to the kitchen where she met mum tasting the sirloin steak with the tip of her tongue since her taste bud for sweet substances was at the tip of her tongue.

"Mum,I got the condiments. Here they are." She said emptying the shopping bag as she arranged the condiments on the center table.

"You delayed a bit so,I couldn't help but start preparing dinner." she said as she dropped the stirring spoon.

"So sorry mum. There were lots of people at the mall especially as today is black friday". Daniella said as she smiled.

"No problem darling. Black Fridays are always like that since there is a discount on the prices of goods."

"The phone section was filled with the highest number of people." Daniella said as she placed her hair at the back of her right ear."

"Of course...Who doesn't want a discount especially now that the prices of phones are big-ticket and plush."

"That aside,mum. Can you say something about my current mood?" Daniella asked as she held Eucharia's hand and led her out of the kitchen.

"Yes. You seem really excited and overwhelmed. Why does your mood seem so ebullient?" Eucharia asked in anticipation for an answer.

Daniella smiles so much before she replies.

"Well mum. I received an email from Priyanka Rathore."Daniella spilled.

"Priyanka? It's been so long. What about her?"Eucharia asked as she smirked warmly.

Daniella unlocked her phone and visited her email. She passed her phone to Eucharia.

"Mum, take a look at the message she sent to me".

Eucharia collected the phone and read the message solemnly.

"Wow! This is really a great news. I'm so overwhelmed. Priyanka promised to do you a favour but it never crossed my mind that her favour would be this massive and humongous." Eucharia said heartily.

"I never also expected this mum. I can't wait for dad to return home so that I can share this thrilling news with him. He will be over the moon once this news reaches his ear." Daniella smiled as she hugged Eucharia.

"Let me check the meal on fire. Operation cooking requires attention." She runs with quick light steps to the kitchen.

Just then,a new notification pops up on Daniella's phone again. It was another email from Priyanka Rathore.

"Another email? What could it be this time?"

She visits her email and reads the message. She was downhearted this time. It seemed that the new information she received didn't favour her.

Eucharia returned only to see her face fall.

"Dani,few minutes ago,you were all elated and chuffed to bits but at the drop of a hat,you became crestfallen. What's the recent development now?" Eucharia asked inquisitively.

"Priyanka Rathore sent another message but that one was unfavourable to me." Daniella blurted.

"What do you mean? Can I see the message?"Eucharia asked in curiosity.

Daniella handed the phone to her. She read it out in such fluency and eloquence.

Daniella Rogers,

There was more to the conversation. The president of the board meeting requested for your details of which I promised to get from you. He then said it in my hearing that the program was only available for students in California,Florida,Illinois,New York and Texas. Also,the students who are eligible for the scholarship must sit their SAT in any of the aforementioned states. If you're interested in the scholarship,send me your details because the offer lasts for a limited time.

"This is bad, really bad. We reside in New Orleans but unfortunately,New Orleans wasn't among the five states mentioned. What do we do now?" Eucharia asked.

Daniella found herself pouting her lips. She had no idea of how cute she really was whenever she pouted her lips. Actually, she often does that when she short of ideas and is probably thinking of an idea to come up with.

"Mum,I'd have to think of something. I can't let this golden opportunity slip off before my very eyes. I'd have to think of something really fast."

* * * * * *

All through the night, Daniella was thinking of what to do. She was so deep in thought that she slept off abruptly on the couch in her room.

At 1:00am, Eucharia went to her room to check up on her when she met her pulchritudinous daughter who laid on the soft couch in her room. She slowly tapped her to wake her up. She helped Daniella to lay on her bed. She kissed her breathtaking angel softly on her forehead. Eucharia switched off the light and bid her goodnight while Daniella was already fast asleep.

* * * * * * *

The next morning when the family was done was having their breakfast, Leonard started the conversation.

"Dani, while thinking of what to do concerning the prevalent situation,the only option left is relocating to any of the aforementioned states."

"That's the problem because you both can't sacrifice all you have achieved here in New Orleans only to start up a new life somewhere else in the country. It's not really going to be easy." Daniella commented.

"Yeah...but we can actually do it. At least,to help you achieve your childhood dreams". Leonard said eagerly.

"But Dani,do you really have to take up writing as a career? There are so many other job opportunities available for you other than writing." Eucharia chipped in.

"No mum. I love writing so much that I see myself working as a writer. It's writing or nothing. Besides,it's already too late to change my career. After all,I'm about to leave high school and what I decide in high school determines the career I take up as a course in the university. I just feel so bad that I don't live in California or Florida or New York and others. It's just so annoying..."Daniella spoke her mind.

"Hold on! Florida. My sister,Katie resides there with her family. You remember your cousins who visited when you were much younger? em' Ramsey and Olive." Eucharia said.

"That's true but how can that really be of help to me?"Daniella asked inquisitively.

"U.K,I think I know where you're driving to but Dani can't actually leave us here in New Orleans to reside somewhere else in Florida." Leonard told Eucharia.

"Mum,is that really what you're insinuating that I should do?"Daniella asked as Eucharia nodded.

"That's the only option you have if you really want to achieve your writing dreams. I know it wouldn't be easy to leave your family and go somewhere else but that's preparing you for an independent life ahead."

"But..."Daniella was really at sixs and sevens. Leonard goes to sit beside her.

"Dani sweetie,I know it wouldn't be easy but your mum is right. That's the only option we have left. Nothing more." Leonard told her.

"How would I live with people who didn't even like me? Besides,how sure am I that they would accept me as a part of their family?"Daniella asked.

"That's not a problem. I'd talk to my elder sister,Katie.She a kind lady and I know she would accept you for sure." Eucharia said to cheer her up.

"Can I really do this? Can you people be able to cope without me? Will I be able to live without seeing the both of you next to me every morning?"

"We'd learn to cope,baby girl."Leonard told her. "You should learn to do so as well."

Daniella hugged him tightly. It seemed as if she was already leaving.

"I don't think I can do this at all,dad. Mum,I can't."Daniella finally spilled.

"Darling,your dad and I would give you time to think about it. Your dream of becoming a writer is left under your care now. Know how to deal with it as soon as possible because your last year of high school is around the corner. It would soon commence."Eucharia said as Leonard nodded in affirmation, without a trace of doubt.

Later that day, Eucharia called her elder sister,Katie O'Brien. They talked for a long time and laughed in between conversations.

They we're almost at the conclusion of the conversation when Eucharia informed Katie of the prevalent situation at hand. Katie had no problem with Daniella living with them but she had to ask her two children. Her husband was a swamped businessman and he resides in the eastern part of the country. He usually returned home to his family during vacations or when his schedule was flexible.

Katie sought permission from Eucharia to ask her children if they were in support of the arrangement.

"Sure. I'm supposed to be the one even seeking permission from you,sids because you are about to do a big favour for me and my family." Eucharia blurted as Katie smiled.

*******

"Ram,Olly,where are you guys?"Katie called.

"Yes mum." They answered in unison as they rushed in as if they had planned it earlier.

"Do you remember your cousin, Daniella Rogers that you once visited in New Orleans when you were much younger?"Katie asked.

"The tiny one?" Sarcastic Olive asked.

"Olly,that's not a sweet description of a person,your cousin for that matter." Ramsey chipped in.

"But that's the truth." Olive said. Ramsey glommed at her in suspense.

"Enough children. Meanwhile,she'd be coming to stay with us for sometime." Katie spilled.

"What? Why mum?"Olive asked.

"It's her last year of high school and the career she chooses to pursue demands her to reside in Florida which we already live in. So,she has to stay with us so as to graduate from high school right here in Florida." Katie spoke intelligibly. "Hope both of you are fine with it?"Katie eked.

"No problem,mum. She's warmly welcomed to stay with us till whenever she's ready to live"Ramsey said as he smiled.

"Thanks Ram. Olly,what about you?"

"Well,it's fine."Olive said.

"Thanks dear. She'd be so excited to hear this." Katie happily said.

"She can stay with us as long as she doesn't intrude in my privacy and personal life as well as try to be like me cause I'm different."Olive said.

Ramsey scoffed as an expression of scorn and contempt.

"What's the scoff for? Are you trying to mock or ridicule me?" She asked inquisitively.

"Nope. I just realized that I swallowed a nut and it's reacting in my oesophagus."Ramsey said sarcastically. Katie laughed.

"Oh really? Just pray that the nut doesn't choke you." Olive said.

"That's rude,baby girl."Katie said.

"So sorry mum. It's Ram's fault!"

Ramsey was actually the most excited on hearing that Daniella would reside with them for some time. He didn't get the opportunity to thank her for the card she made few years back so,he would seize the new opportunity at his disposal to appreciate her.